Stimulating Economic Growth – SBDC OC/Inland Empire

2013 turned out to be another excellent year for small business working with the Orange County/ Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network. The program hosted by California State University, Fullerton and partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration not only reached, but exceeded goals and expectations.

“Our priority is always the small business owner and we take pride in the economic impact we have in the communities we serve” said Karla Gonzalez, Inland Empire SBDC business consultant. Ms. Gonzalez continued, “2013 marked a successful year for the network and I’m glad to be a part of a program that has such a large impact on small business.

In 2013, the Orange County/Inland Empire SBDC Network assisted a combined total of 15,921 businesses through one-on-one consulting and training activities. Due to the assistance provided by the network, these businesses created 995new jobs, retained 538 jobs, started 135 new businesses, obtained $103.3 million in debt/equity financing, obtained $32.9 million in contracts and recorded sales increases of $40 million.

“I am extremely pleased with the performance of our network this past year” expressed Regional Director, Priscilla Lopez. “The numbers are a reflection of our commitment to small business success and we look forward to assisting more small business owners and challenging our own records in 2014”.

For more information on the Orange County/Inland Empire SBDC Network or to find a Small Business Development Center near you, go to www.leadsbdc.org.

About the Orange County/Inland Empire SBDC Program:

The Orange County / Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and other private sector funds to provide one-on-one technical assistance, access to capital, access to procurement opportunities and training for small business owners in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The Orange County/Inland Empire Regional Network is hosted by California State University, Fullerton’s, Mihaylo College of Business and Economics. For additional information contact Priscilla Lopez, Regional Director of the Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network or visitwww.leadsbdc.org.